At a Glance
- Sarco introduces an AI mental fitness test for assisted suicide.
- First use in 2024 involved a 64-year-old woman after a psychiatric evaluation.
- Swiss law requires no external assistance; AI adds a new layer of scrutiny.
- Why it matters: People seeking to end their lives now face an artificial gatekeeper that may undermine human dignity.
The latest development in the controversial field of assisted suicide comes from Philip Nitschke’s Sarco device, which now includes an AI-powered mental fitness test. The device, first built in 2019, was used for the first time in 2024 by a 64-year-old American woman in Switzerland, where assisted suicide is technically legal. She underwent a traditional psychiatric evaluation by a Dutch psychiatrist before pressing a button that released nitrogen inside the capsule and ended her life. At that moment, the AI assessment was not yet ready, which led to questions about the device’s safety and oversight.
What Is the Sarco?
The Sarco is a self-administered euthanasia pod that Nitschke named after the ancient sarcophagus. It contains a nitrogen chamber that, when activated, suffocates the user in a controlled manner. The device has been in development since 2019 and has only been used once publicly, in 2024, by the 64-year-old woman described above. The pod allows the user up to 24 hours to decide to proceed; if they miss the window, they must start the process over.
The AI Mental Fitness Test
Nitschke’s new AI test is designed to determine whether a person is mentally sound enough to make a decision to die. The algorithm evaluates the individual’s psychological state and, if it deems them sound, powers the pod. The test is a departure from the traditional human psychiatric evaluation that has been the standard in assisted suicide cases. The AI’s role is to provide a quick, automated assessment that can be repeated if the user misses the 24-hour decision window.
Legal and Ethical Controversies
The use of the Sarco in Switzerland triggered the arrest of Dr. Florian Willet, a pro-assisted suicide advocate who was present during the woman’s death. Swiss law permits assisted suicide only when the person takes their own life without external assistance. Those who help must not do so for a self-serving motive. Willet was charged with aiding and abetting suicide and was later found dead by assisted suicide in Germany in 2025-a death that may have been influenced by the psychological trauma of his arrest and detention.
The introduction of an AI assessment raises ethical concerns. Critics argue that replacing a human psychiatrist with a machine undermines the dignity of a person at the end of their life. They point out that the AI is not needed for a single use, and that the device’s low volume of users does not justify automated screening.
Future Directions
Nitschke plans to incorporate the AI test into a new version of the Sarco designed for couples. The so-called “Double Dutch” model will evaluate both partners and allow them to enter a conjoined pod, passing on to the next life while lying next to each other. This expansion adds another layer of complexity and raises further questions about consent, privacy, and the role of technology in end-of-life decisions.
The debate over AI in assisted suicide reflects a broader tension between technological innovation and human oversight. While the Sarco’s AI test promises efficiency and consistency, it also risks reducing a deeply personal choice to a set of algorithmic outputs. The outcome of this debate will shape how society balances autonomy, safety, and dignity for those seeking to end their lives.
